Rivola

While Aleix Espargaro has been positively impressed by Aprilia’s 2020 RS-GP MotoGP upgrade, he’s also felt an overall shift in how the team operates and hopes the combination of changes provide progress in terms of results.

With Andrea Iannone awaiting his fate following an FIM hearing over his anti-doping case, Bradley Smith is reportedly expected to step up if he is needed to replace the Italian rider.

Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola heralds his team’s 2020 MotoGP bike as “an ambitious project” given the wide-ranging changes expected, with the new RS-GP set to be the machine with the biggest changes as it looks to close the performance gap to its rivals.

Aleix Espargaro has raced against the likes of Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez - not to mention his own brother Pol - during his time in MotoGP.

- New Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola wants Ducati to retain its Qatar MotoGP race results and have the swingarm device banned from the next round onwards (Motosprint via Marca)

Following last month’s announcement that former Ferrari F1 team chief Massimo Rivola has been appointed Aprilia Racing CEO, the Italian has drilled in efficiency and team harmony being vital to its 2019 charge.

Ferrari F1 sporting director Massimo Rivola has been hired as CEO of Aprilia Racing, starting his new job on January 7. Rivola, 47, described as a motorcycle and Aprilia brand enthusiast, has spent 21 seasons in Formula One.